Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1887-10-27
COMMUNICATED.

Minority report to Secretary of the
Interior.
SIR: In tho matter Of the propos-
ed division Of Idaho Territory, and the
annexation Of North Idaho to Washing
ton, I wish seriously to call your atten-
ton, and that of congress, to the falla-
cious and perverted representations of
Gov. Stevenson in his report to your
department.
He would have you believe that the
removal Of the capital Of Idaho from
Lewiston to Boise City, was done to &C.
conmodate the bulk Of the population,
and BY honest legislative enactment; but
the facts are and l charge the truth to
be, that such removal was the perpetra.
ton high handed villany by spurious
Legislature; the Illegally Of which has
been declared by our courts. The rob-
berry was accomplished under the pro.
lection Of bribed military, the fruit Of
which have since been preserved by the
same bandit hand, ard yet Mr.. Steven.
son wonders that it should have proven
distasteful to the people of Lewiston,
and that they have ever since retained
the most intense hatred toward the
South.
You will understand, sir: that this is
most natural. Why, sir : that spirit of
resentment that was developed in the
child Of the revolution at the act of
tyranny and dsspoliation inflicted on it, is
the one We, Of to-day, are the most
proud Of; but this is not all ever since
Ahat despotic theft, the strong hand Of
the Boise government has continued to
prey upon cur resources without any
adequate return, not one dollar has been
expended for any internal improvement
in the North.
Under the pledge, that if we would
unite with them in securing for them a
capitol building, they would consent to
our annexation to Washington, our
Legislators did give their support to that
end. and they did pass a memorial to
congress for such annexation. Have
they kept that pledge? no sir: still false,
Is bandits and thieves are wont to be;
they laugh At our stupidity, plot for our
further subjugatiou, and gloat over our
misery. But sir: notwithstanding all
the injuries inflicted upon US, it is false
to assert that they are the reasons why
We ask to be severed from them. We
are separated from them by impossible
mountain barriers, and Mr.. Stevenson
states what he we'll knows to be false,
when he represents to you that we are
now connected with the South by rail-
roads; for two hundred miles iutsrveu.
ing between the two sections not foot
Of railroad exists, as well might you con.
meet Washington with New York by
going to 81. Louis, thence to St. Paul,
Themes to Montreal and thence to New
Ye,k. All the railroads in Idaho ira
verse it from east to west as you may
verify BY looking at any map and what
ID more, no railroad will ever be built
RAINING North and South in Idaho, FOR
the reason that the whole intervening
country is one mountain fastness. In
going to Boise five changes are made,
while to Olympia, but one.
Mr.. Stevenson is false again, when he
says that division and annexation were
born in local jealousies and petty spite,
and fostered BY political hatred and
partisan spleen, advocated by political
iobbsrs aud trickstcrs; this is most
unholy libel and SANDER, begotten only
Of malicious heart and besottsd brain.
He would make it appear and have you
believe, sir, that the great prayer and
anxious petition Of an enlightened people
is but an exhibition of political and
partisan chicanery; this, sir, is lie that
We ding back at this mouute- bank with
oil the venom it deserves, not one parti,
Gle Of political consideration exists not
the least faint Of partisan policy actuates
single heart; but with an eye single to
our temporal welfare and commercial
prosperity, and to form an alliance that
shall contribute to our pursuit of happi- |
ness alone, have we cast this die. Again
It is not conceded that the bulk of
Kootenai and Idaho counties prefer to
remain in Idaho, he may assert it, but
the last vote on the question disproves
it, aud will disprove it again.
While it may be true that the larger
part of North Idaho is mineral land it is
not true that the principal resource is
mining; it is well known to all except
MIR. Stevenson, who has never visited MS